Abbreviations

POST - OPERATIVE   INSTRUCTIONS

You may face following problems after the surgery:

1. Pain - There will be some amount of pain following surgery at the scar site, which will decrease gradually with time, when you do your exercises regularly. There will also be some loss of sensation in the armpit, part of upper arm, chest wall and some area of back, with subsequent tingling and pinprick sensation in the same area from 7th / 8th   day following surgery. Return of normal sensation will take 3 to 4 months.
2. Drain Leak - This is recognised as immediate filling of the container with air when it is charged. This may necessitate change of container. Consult the Doctor or Nurse.
3. Drain Block - Drain container will not fill up. The drain tube will show clot and at  times there may be fluid discharge from the scar site or from the side of the tube or a  swelling at the operation site. This block needs to be removed. Consult the Doctor or Nurse. The drain tube is removed when the amount of fluid drained is less than 25cc per day or on 14th / 15th day following surgery. After the drain is removed, more than 90% women will have fluid collection as a sequel of surgery. Remember, this is not a complication and all women go through it. You will require periodic aspiration of this collection.
4. Seroma -Sometimes a swelling might appear beneath the scar. This is because of fluid collection. There is no reason to worry and the fluid needs only to be aspirated once in 5-6 days. Consult the Doctor or Nurse.
   
    
   Your further treatment plan will be explained to you once final histopathology report is available which usually takes 15 days. In case of any difficulty, do not hesitate to reach the hospital either telephonically or in person.